The Houston Astros and the Chicago Cubs meet Thursday in MLB action from Wrigley Field. Here’s a Chicago Cubs vs Houston Astros prediction. This will be the final installment in a three-game series. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for the game.
Houston Astros Betting Preview
The Astros were able to beat the Washington Nationals 5-3 back on Friday, but then struggled over the weekend with losses 5-4 and 6-0. Houston’s skid continued with a 7-2 loss to the Cubs in the Tuesday opener. In game two the Astros posted 10 hits but couldn’t overcome the deficit in a 4-3 loss. Starter Spencer Arrighetti finished with 3.2 innings, four earned, seven hits and two walks.
In the starter role for the Astros on Thursday it’ll be Justin Verlander. In his lone start this year Verlander put up a win with two earned runs in 6.0 frames. Over his career Verlander holds a 258-141 record with a 3.24 ERA in 510 starts.
Chicago Cubs Betting Preview
Over on the Cubs’ side, they had mixed results versus the Miami Marlins in their weekend series. Chicago won two of four games for a split in that set. Following their five-run win on Tuesday, in the Wednesday matchup the Cubs bagged all four of their runs in the first inning. Jameson Taillon finished on 5.2 innings, one earned run, seven hits and two walks.The Cubs will play against the Red Sox following this series.
It’ll be Javier Assad as starting pitcher for the Cubs on Thursday. This year so far over four start Assad is 2-0 with a 2.11 ERA and 21 Ks in 21.1 innings. Assad is 9-5 with a 2.94 ERA in 45 games (22 starts) over his career.
Astros vs Cubs Injury Notes
Cubs CF Cody Bellinger was placed on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday. He’s dealing with a right rib fracture. RP Drew Smyly (right hip impingement) was placed on the 15-day IL on Tuesday, retroactive to April 22. SP Justin Steele (hamstring) went through pitchers’ fielding practice on Tuesday.
Chicago Cubs Team Facts
- The Cubs have won five of their last six games as underdogs.
- The Cubs have covered the run line in each of their last six games as underdogs.
- The Cubs have won the first inning in each of their last three games as underdogs against AL West opponents.
- The Cubs have led after 7 innings in each of their last four games as underdogs.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the last nine games between the Astros and Cubs.
Houston Astros Team Facts
- The Astros have lost each of their last six games as road favorites after playing the previous day.
- The Astros have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six road games after playing the previous day.
- The Astros have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last three games as favorites against National League opponents.
- The Astros have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last six games at Wrigley Field.
- The Astros have lost the first inning in each of their last three games as favorites against National League opponents.
Chicago Cubs vs Houston Astros Prediction
I’ll probably stay with the Cubs. You could make a good case either way in this one, though. Assad is pitching pretty well so far. He’s coming off 4.2 innings with one earned on three hits and three walks versus the Marlins in his last start on April 20. As for Verlander, the results were good in his inaugural outing versus the Nationals on April 19. Verlander posted two earned on four hits and no walks with six Ks in 6.0 innings.
In the Wednesday game, Chicago got a big homer from Dansby Swanson and two hits from Nico Hoerner. That said, there weren’t a ton of big swings after the first inning. Thursday’s game is probably going to be close as well, but I think Chicago has a decent shot at another W.